[.cheese.]

Whoops!

I needed to take the side plate off of my 642-2 today. I didn't have my gunsmithing driver set, so I tried to use my Leatherman Micra..... bad idea.

I got it off, but the screws got a little stripped. So, I waited until I had my screw-driver set to put it back on, but WHOOPS! slipped while doing so and put a nice big scratch across the side-plate.

Oh well... it's an EDC carry gun anyways. I should get some new screws though, where do I get the 2 standard sideplate screws and 1 large sideplate screw that also holds the yoke in place? Brownells doesn't seem to carry them.

Call S&W? While I'm at it, would you bother getting a side-plate, or just leave it? It's not a huge deal, just an annoyance. I'm not even sure if you can order a side-plate by itself or if it would even fit properly.

[Gator]

A new side plate will have to be fitted and S&W will only sell you one if they do the fitting. They will sell you the screws though...which might need a bit of fitting too. :)

[Shade00]

My suggestion - polish the heck out of the whole gun. I think I saw someone's 642 that got polished like crazy - it was shining like nickel.

[ArchAngelCD]

Just be aware if you polish a M642 it will remove all the clear-coat so the revolver will have no finish to speak of. While Aluminum looks good when shined up it will be vulnerable to corrosion from many sources. It might not be a good idea to leave the Aluminum frame unprotected.

[jt1]

.cheese. - It's called "character"... leave it for alone for awhile, if it still bothers you after a month or so then get it fixed. As you say it's an EDC.

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree but I would get the screws from S&W.